While many students took the summer off, Fisher High School cheerleaders were working hard at improving their game. They attended a weeklong, full-time camp, hosted by the United Cheerleaders Association at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Cheerleader Alaina Harding said, “We learned many new stunts, jumps and cheers that we’ll be using in the upcoming football season."

Not only did they learn more about their craft, but they excelled at it as well. The team won the spirit stick every day, and two days in a row, they won the coveted UCA Spirit Banana, awarded by the coaching staff to the team setting the best example.

They also were awarded the Leadership Award. All the attending teams voted that if they were not performing with their own teams, they would want to be part of the Fisher High School Cheerleading Squad.

Team members said they were surprised to win first place for their home routine, which they had been working on all summer before the camp. Captain Courtney Bundy said, “I am so proud of my team. Through all the sweat, tears, and yelling, we finally made it to the top.”

Finally, the team was invited to perform at the Capitol Bowl held in Orlando.

Several individual members of the team received honors as well. Harding and Brittney and Whitney Shultz made All-American, which comes with an opportunity to perform in London. Bundy and Co-Captain Shae Richards were thrilled to be asked to go to New York to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Layla Matherne was pinned as the “Pin-It-Forward” girl of the day, displaying the most spirited and generous personality.

While the girls all say they learned a lot from the camp, they all agree that one of the best outcomes was how close they became during the experience. Harding said, “Before we went to camp, we were all friends, but we weren’t close, we didn’t communicate outside of practice much.”

The girls all agree that the camp became a special time for them to bond, and that by the end they felt the were no longer just individual cheerleaders, but had formed a cohesive unit. Harding said they are all one big family now.

Brittney Shultz said, “By the last day we became sisters and close friends. I am so happy I am so proud to be a gator cheerleader, and we all have to thank our amazing coach.”

Anyone interested in obtaining a booth for the annual Fisher High Cheerleaders craft fair should drop by the school to pick up a booth rental form.

Flood maps

Jefferson Parish will be holding open houses to assist homeowners in understanding the impact of the proposed FEMA flood insurance rate maps. On Aug. 27, they will be available at the Westbank Regional Library on Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey, and on Aug. 28, they will be at West Jefferson Medical Center’s Fonseca Auditorium on Medical Center Boulevard in Marrero. On both days staff will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jean Lafitte National Park

At the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Marrero this month, visitors can explore the Louisiana swamp and marsh on a ranger-guided walk each Wednesday to Sunday at 10 a.m. For more information call 504.689.3690, ext. 10, or visit www.nps.gov/jela.